Cocktails are traditionally thought of as an American innovation, but they were actually inspired by British punches—big bowls of spirits mixed with fruit juice, spices, and other flavors, consumed in punch houses in the 18th century. The term cocktail was even first seen in a British newspaper printed March of 1798. But the term wasn’t …
Monthly Archives: February 2024
US Marines in the American Revolution — Willings’ Marine Expedition
February 1778 In the period prior to the Revolution, James Willing, scion of a prominent Philadelphia family, had engaged in trade at Natchez. In the fall of 1777, he received, through the influence of his brother Thomas and a close friend, Robert Morris, a commission from Congress that authorized him to organize a volunteer company …
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East India Company Hibiscus Fizz
Cocktails are traditionally thought of as an American innovation, but they were actually inspired by British punches—big bowls of spirits mixed with fruit juice, spices, and other flavors, consumed in punch houses in the 18th century. The term cocktail was even first seen in a British newspaper printed March of 1798. But the term wasn’t …
Historical Tidbits — 11th Amendment to the US Constitution
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. February 7, 1795 11th Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified The Eleventh Amendment was adopted to overrule the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Chisholm v. Georgia (1793). …
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Okay, The East India Company is Really Famous for … Tea.
Tea is arguably the world’s most popular beverage. It is enjoyed by millions of people around the globe daily. But this wasn’t always so. In addition to trading in luxurious goods such as exotic spices, fine fabrics and bullion, The East India Company played a pivotal role in introducing tea not only to the British …
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HOW THE EAST INDIA COMPANY INTRODUCED COCOA TO EUROPE
The Spanish first discovered cocoa beans during voyages to the New World. English Privateers (AKA Pirates) – under authorization from Queen Elizabeth I – soon discovered this as well by looting of the Spanish ships. While the Aztecs had prized the cocoa that grew on their lands higher than gold – even using cocoa beans …
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Historical Tidbits — French Alliance
When reenacting or acting as a historical interpreter, its good to have a few historical dates and stories to share. This series will publish a few. February 6, 1778 ALLIANCE with FRANCE Treaty of Alliance The most Christian King and the United States of North America, to wit, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhodes island, Connecticut, …
The Scourge of Slavery (#18) — The Legacy of the Slave Trade
Slavery has left an indelible imprint on our nation’s soul. For most black Americans the end of slavery was just the beginning of a long battle for democratic equality, social acceptance, and economic opportunity. Millions of Americans of African descent languish in societal backwaters with limited opportunities for good jobs, good housing, adequate healthcare, and …
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Can’t afford a painted portrait – Make a Silhouette
In the 1st century, Pliny the Elder told the story of Dibutade, a 5th century Corinthian girl, who traced her lover’s shadow, cast by candlelight, because she wanted to keep the image of her lover with her when he went away on a journey. A renaissance of this art form occurred in the 18th century …
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Historical Tidbits — Jewish “Prayer for Our Country”
For years, I have been troubled by two prayers in the Conservative Jewish liturgy – the Prayer for our Country and the Prayer for the State of Israel. Now my disquiet about the Prayer for the State of Israel goes well beyond the current difficulties in Palestine. I am uncomfortable with the very idea of …
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Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 